[ honest it is very beautiful and izumo does get a bit distracted, however she didn't want to enter the forest without looking around for a bit. ...then of course she sees mob walking right in there's absolutely no way that she's going to let him just go in on his own. well. she could but she isn't. ]
Kageyama?
[ there's a fennec fox scampering at her feet because izumo is painfully fox coded.
[ Off they go after Mob, or, well, I assume Ange won't be the only one left behind since HC was also walking towards the forest. Once they go in, they'll quickly find that it looks like the entrance they were in... isn't there anymore. Whatever that golden hued sky was behind them, that's gone as well. Even though they've barely walked in, the forest surrounds them entirely already.
Something about the atmosphere seems tense now. The whispers can still only be heard when they're quiet, at least, but the rest... is here. There are still no real paths in front of them, though the dim light is a little more obvious off in the distance now. They can choose to head in any direction right now, as there's no obvious markers for where anything leads, not even the sound of nature to guide them.
Most of the sky is obscured, but what they can see is fully dark. At least the forest is still pretty? Yay. ]
[ With a brief glance back, when it becomes apparent there's any direction available to them, Hua Cheng - sighs. ]
Stay close. [ To Ange, in particular, considering the hesitance - and he'd like to make sure she gets back rather than lost. His wolf trudges forward, hackles raised and head swiveling as it goes further ahead of them by a few paces. ]
If everything looks the same, let's keep walking forward. There's less of a chance of getting turned around. [ He hopes. ]
Saying that we're lost now suggests that we knew where we were in the first place. [ she sighs lightly at mob and then also looks towards hc and ange to judge how close all of them are to one another. hopefully they're not all too far apart..?
with a frown she'll take a cursory look around. sure, nothing seems to have any obvious markers but are there any markers at all? if you squint hard enough. ]
I don't particularly like how everything feels different. [ to the group and gauges everyone's reactions to it all. ...as well to see how this "forest" will react to it. ] Are you sure we should keep moving or should we at least try to understand where we are for a bit?
[ There are some markers indeed! Since they haven't gone too far, they should still all be close together, so no getting lost separately. ... yet.
Behind them, is, of course, the dense forest. Right in front, they can identify this direction by how it aligns more directly with the light in sky in the distance, though whether the path to it is straight has yet to be seen. To the left, the trees and foliage seem more dense, so they might have to struggle their way in a bit. Nothing seems immediately to the right, although if they look closer there seems to be some mushrooms with odd, glowing blue protrusions on them, almost like the mushrooms themselves are lined with pretty crystals. They glow a little in that direction.
The forest is pretty dark because of the lack of light, but not dark enough for them to be unable to see yet. This is probably thanks to the dozen or so moons in the sky they may notice if they pay enough attention to it between the trees. At least that lights up a dark forest?
[Ange is in fact getting closer and closer to the rest of the group the longer this goes on. Because it's spooky! It's so spooky! They're trapped in the woods and she's a city girl...]
Um...
Does anything look familiar to you, Miss Izumo...? I'm not sure how we can figure out where we are... [Besides like. The Woods. But also she's clueless.]
Or where we should go. I hope it isn't getting darker... [Is the sun going down?? Is it already nighttime? She squints up at the sky. Are those all moons???? she feels Doubt.]
[ Time to wait, and take in these helpful location descriptions. The wolf moves over to sniff in the vicinity of the mushrooms, and sneezes its disapproval before returning to the group and leaning into Hua Cheng's leg. ]
I'd be worried if any of this looked familiar to any of us. Especially with how off it all feels. [ He does glance up at the moons, squinting at them as he turns over their options while they just - stand there. In the funky woods. Both he and the wolf listen for anything odd while they do. ]
This might be like the expeditions that the others have gone on. [ flatly, plainly ] Unfortunately, I'm not sure how easy it'd be to understand where we are - we can't orient ourselves with so many moons in the sky, and there's nothing behind us that indicates we can go back.
Yeah, definitely one of those, but like those do we want to already commit ourselves to being split up into pairs or do we want to try to stick together and see what that gives us?
[ cries, mob...where are you going...izumo isn't going to keep him in total check but she will keep a steady eye on him. the fox at her feet circles around her anxiously as izumo tries to decide on what she wants to do. ]
[ It's night time! Or, well, probably. There is no sun, it's just with twelve moons, it's kind of dim bright even though it is probably night? Weird. There's no special noise outside of the odd whisper here and there. Eerily quiet, really.
Of course, then Mob goes to check out the mushrooms, and he'll find they're placed in a pattern that almost resembles a path. The glowing protrusion on them aren't all the same color even though the mushroom itself is always the same dark one; some are blue, some are purple and some are pink. It makes for a very pretty path. Maybe a little ominous, but, y'know. Dark dreary forest.
The glow in the distance seems to emanate from the forest if they stare at it enough, just so they can be sure it's not another moon. So many of those. ]
[ It's either the direction with the foliage, walking into the void, or... mushroom path. Great.
At his side, there's a chuff of displeasure that obviously gives away what Hua Cheng thinks about all of this. But - he draws his saber with his right hand, preparing in advance, and decides to remain on alert. He'll keep part of his attention on the whispering and the lack of noise, before he starts to move towards the right path to check out how dense the foliage is at a glance. He is not stepping into it.
The wolf stays near Ange and Izumo. ]
We should stay together as best we can. Maybe hold onto each other. But whichever path we choose... [ Dianxia, he glances back at the three of them. Makes a decision. ] Let me go first.
[ to hc, anyway, and even though she'll also consider their choices for a moment. ]
The mushroom path does look like the one where it would be safest to travel. [ but also because izumo is izumo, she kind of hates the idea of taking the most obvious path. (BECAUSE LOOKS AT MODS.). she'll walk over towards one of the mushrooms with the glowing thing and sees how effective it could be as a "light". ] Is it worth voting to see if we even want to try the other one?
[ The mushrooms are more like a faded night light than an actual light source, but it's better than nothing, maybe? There's not much else to see in that path. The foliage side, meanwhile, is thick, but not thick enough they'd need to cut through it. They might struggle walking in it and get hit by a branch or two or scratched up by thorns, though.
Anyway, they should probably make a decision soon, considering there's some odd and heavy rustling coming from behind them through the trees. Hm. Makes you almost miss the creepy whispers. ]
[Ange nods quietly at hc's suggestion, and casually... reaches for his hand!! Handholding! That is what he meant, right?
Then she reaches with her other hand for Izumo who I think is closer at the moment.]
Mm, let's hold onto each other so we don't get lost out here.
[Anyway!!
As for the rest, uh. Those rustling noises sound less than promising and even though I am also Looking At The Mods here, Ange would at least want to follow the light.]
U-um, I think--I think we need to go, though. Let's follow the light for now...?
[She'll go with whatever but that sounds so bad and she's still looking over her shoulder.]
[ At this point, Hua Cheng doesn't even react to his hand being taken - #growth. He just folds Ange's hand into his firmly, sighs heavily, and turns away from the foliage. With a glance thrown back in the direction they came, wolf growling low, he brings the new chain of teenage girls closer to Mob so they can add him to it. ]
I'm going to be honest, I don't trust either path. [ He and Izumo are of a same mind, on this one. The Realm sucks! He does not like this! ] But I can't argue that I'd rather be able to see what's trying to kill us. There's thorns on the other one that we'll have to pass through, it's dense enough that we'll have to force our way a bit, and it's unlit.
[ But with that ominous noise approaching, and him not wanting to stick around to see what it is, there's very little choice. He's watching the area behind them as they come to their decision - in case he can spot what's coming. ]
If you want to vote, now's the time to do it - we need to move. [ For narrative benefit, whatever one they pick at the end of the round - he'll lead them off. ]
[ HER MUSHROOM OF DIM LIGHT. but looks like both of her hands are going to be occupied, she'll just have to deal with it as she grabs mob's offered hand which is hopefully the hand that isn't being held by ange.
she'll frown at the whispers that are definitely telling them to do something, and after a sigh and a shake of her head, will just use her head to gesture towards the lit pathway. ]
I guess it's decided then?
[ lead the way hc? ...which will be followed by izumo (whose hands are tied up between mob and ange). ]
[ off they go holding hands, following the lit path of mushrooms into the forest. The rustling behind them doesn't stop immediately... but then it seems to keep going straight while they turned a side I've forgotten already because I'm bad at directions, so maybe that was a good choice?
Of course, it might not seem that way as they keep walking and the trees overhead grow denser, blocking out any natural light from the many moons, leaving only the dim light of the crystalized mushrooms around. It might not feel as eerie as it seems, though; something warm and comforting in that light despite the darkness. That does mean they won't be able to keep track of the light off in the forest distance, unfortunately.
The whispers pick up once again as they keep moving, unintelligible.
It takes a while for this path to lead them anywhere or with anything except More Mushrooms, but eventually they'll come upon a slightly more open area. It's still very much dark and only lit by mushrooms, but there's space here instead of being surrounded by trees and bushes. They should mostly be able to see in the dark by now, so they may notice a small cave opening lined with crystals that somewhat match the ones on the mushrooms. Perhaps more pressing, however, will be the odd creature in this mini clearing that almost blends into the darkness.
With six spiny looking legs and the size and the mass of a small rhino, this thing's three dull glowing blue eyes seem half-lidded as it stares at the quartet. ]
[hc may or may not be glad to know that he is less scary than the spooky woods.
Anyway, they progress, holding hands!! It's very cute. Ange gets more and more visibly nervous as they walk, though she stays quiet and so does her bird, nesting comfortably in her hair still. What a chill bird.
More importantly... they finally come upon that more open area and even though it almost blends into the darkness, those eyes are hard to miss and Ange freezes. She opens her mouth, and nothing comes out.
This is probably for the better! I don't know if it's noticed them yet! Either way she is definitely freezing in the middle of the path, don't mind her.]
[ hc is glad to know that so many teen girls feel like he's less scary than whatever strange new place they're walking into, this has happened more than once,
His wolf walks more in pace with the three of them than with him, flanking them on one side so that if something happens, then... well, at least two sides will be covered. Because of the situation, both eyes are open - the left blends almost completely with its black fur, but the right is a stark red, and it is looking Everywhere as they listen to the whispers start up again. Spoopy.
When he spots those blue eyes, and what he can make out of the huge, spiky shape, it's fine that Ange stops. He does, too, squeezing her hand and staring at it. After a beat, he folds his arm more behind him so that she can keep the hand, and steps just so, shifting. Ange at least will be hidden behind him, and in theory so will Mob and Izumo - it just depends on if they decide to peek out at what's gotten them to stop so suddenly.
The saber is raised in front of him, still, and he is not putting it away. The wolf's hackles are bristled higher and its tail is straight. He's pretty sure that the thing is looking at them. ]
[It hasn't tried to attack them yet, so Mob doesn't perceive this thing to be a threat? It's just a thing in the darkness, looking at them. He sees creepy things with glowing eyes in the darkness all the time.
So. . . he'll stay behind HC if that's where Izumo goes, but he's peeking at it fairly fearlessly, but he'll at least speak quietly.]
It's not doing anything. You shouldn't point your sword at something if it isn't doing anything, you might scare it.
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Kageyama?
[ there's a fennec fox scampering at her feet because izumo is painfully fox coded.
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Something about the atmosphere seems tense now. The whispers can still only be heard when they're quiet, at least, but the rest... is here. There are still no real paths in front of them, though the dim light is a little more obvious off in the distance now. They can choose to head in any direction right now, as there's no obvious markers for where anything leads, not even the sound of nature to guide them.
Most of the sky is obscured, but what they can see is fully dark. At least the forest is still pretty? Yay. ]
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It's spooky here, though...]
Um... it is pretty, but it is also a little...
[She frowns a bit.]
... Which way should we go? It all looks the same to me.
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Stay close. [ To Ange, in particular, considering the hesitance - and he'd like to make sure she gets back rather than lost. His wolf trudges forward, hackles raised and head swiveling as it goes further ahead of them by a few paces. ]
If everything looks the same, let's keep walking forward. There's less of a chance of getting turned around. [ He hopes. ]
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Hmm. Looking back, looking ahead? Looking back? Looking at the others.]
I think we're lost.
[There's something he's supposed to remember if he's lost, right? Oh, well. He'll stay near the others.]
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with a frown she'll take a cursory look around. sure, nothing seems to have any obvious markers but are there any markers at all? if you squint hard enough. ]
I don't particularly like how everything feels different. [ to the group and gauges everyone's reactions to it all. ...as well to see how this "forest" will react to it. ] Are you sure we should keep moving or should we at least try to understand where we are for a bit?
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Behind them, is, of course, the dense forest. Right in front, they can identify this direction by how it aligns more directly with the light in sky in the distance, though whether the path to it is straight has yet to be seen. To the left, the trees and foliage seem more dense, so they might have to struggle their way in a bit. Nothing seems immediately to the right, although if they look closer there seems to be some mushrooms with odd, glowing blue protrusions on them, almost like the mushrooms themselves are lined with pretty crystals. They glow a little in that direction.
The forest is pretty dark because of the lack of light, but not dark enough for them to be unable to see yet. This is probably thanks to the dozen or so moons in the sky they may notice if they pay enough attention to it between the trees. At least that lights up a dark forest?
Nothing seems to happen if they wait. ]
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Um...
Does anything look familiar to you, Miss Izumo...? I'm not sure how we can figure out where we are... [Besides like. The Woods. But also she's clueless.]
Or where we should go. I hope it isn't getting darker... [Is the sun going down?? Is it already nighttime? She squints up at the sky. Are those all moons???? she feels Doubt.]
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I'd be worried if any of this looked familiar to any of us. Especially with how off it all feels. [ He does glance up at the moons, squinting at them as he turns over their options while they just - stand there. In the funky woods. Both he and the wolf listen for anything odd while they do. ]
This might be like the expeditions that the others have gone on. [ flatly, plainly ] Unfortunately, I'm not sure how easy it'd be to understand where we are - we can't orient ourselves with so many moons in the sky, and there's nothing behind us that indicates we can go back.
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[Well, he looks more serious, suddenly. He's heard how those have gone. No longer wandering, but - pointing at the mushrooms.]
It's getting dark. We could use some of those.
[He'll wander over to check them out? But he's not going too far.]
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[ cries, mob...where are you going...izumo isn't going to keep him in total check but she will keep a steady eye on him. the fox at her feet circles around her anxiously as izumo tries to decide on what she wants to do. ]
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Of course, then Mob goes to check out the mushrooms, and he'll find they're placed in a pattern that almost resembles a path. The glowing protrusion on them aren't all the same color even though the mushroom itself is always the same dark one; some are blue, some are purple and some are pink. It makes for a very pretty path. Maybe a little ominous, but, y'know. Dark dreary forest.
The glow in the distance seems to emanate from the forest if they stare at it enough, just so they can be sure it's not another moon. So many of those. ]
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Um, we... we should definitely try to not get split up then, right...? These are dangerous, so... I would feel better if we stuck together.
[They are inevitably in trouble anyway but they can try.
And to Mob:]
Does that path look best...? [It's at least lit...!!]
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At his side, there's a chuff of displeasure that obviously gives away what Hua Cheng thinks about all of this. But - he draws his saber with his right hand, preparing in advance, and decides to remain on alert. He'll keep part of his attention on the whispering and the lack of noise, before he starts to move towards the right path to check out how dense the foliage is at a glance. He is not stepping into it.
The wolf stays near Ange and Izumo. ]
We should stay together as best we can. Maybe hold onto each other. But whichever path we choose... [ Dianxia, he glances back at the three of them. Makes a decision. ] Let me go first.
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[But he'll listen to Hua Cheng, and wait. You don't have to hold him back.]
I don't mind which way we go, though.
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Given that you have the weapon, feel free to.
[ to hc, anyway, and even though she'll also consider their choices for a moment. ]
The mushroom path does look like the one where it would be safest to travel. [ but also because izumo is izumo, she kind of hates the idea of taking the most obvious path. (BECAUSE LOOKS AT MODS.). she'll walk over towards one of the mushrooms with the glowing thing and sees how effective it could be as a "light". ] Is it worth voting to see if we even want to try the other one?
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Anyway, they should probably make a decision soon, considering there's some odd and heavy rustling coming from behind them through the trees. Hm. Makes you almost miss the creepy whispers. ]
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Then she reaches with her other hand for Izumo who I think is closer at the moment.]
Mm, let's hold onto each other so we don't get lost out here.
[Anyway!!
As for the rest, uh. Those rustling noises sound less than promising and even though I am also Looking At The Mods here, Ange would at least want to follow the light.]
U-um, I think--I think we need to go, though. Let's follow the light for now...?
[She'll go with whatever but that sounds so bad and she's still looking over her shoulder.]
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I'm going to be honest, I don't trust either path. [ He and Izumo are of a same mind, on this one. The Realm sucks! He does not like this! ] But I can't argue that I'd rather be able to see what's trying to kill us. There's thorns on the other one that we'll have to pass through, it's dense enough that we'll have to force our way a bit, and it's unlit.
[ But with that ominous noise approaching, and him not wanting to stick around to see what it is, there's very little choice. He's watching the area behind them as they come to their decision - in case he can spot what's coming. ]
If you want to vote, now's the time to do it - we need to move. [ For narrative benefit, whatever one they pick at the end of the round - he'll lead them off. ]
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Anyway Mob has no opinions either way, but it's been decided OOC to head towards the glowing thing in the forest, so he nods at Ange.]
Let's do that.
[So. They do?]
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she'll frown at the whispers that are definitely telling them to do something, and after a sigh and a shake of her head, will just use her head to gesture towards the lit pathway. ]
I guess it's decided then?
[ lead the way hc? ...which will be followed by izumo (whose hands are tied up between mob and ange). ]
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Of course, it might not seem that way as they keep walking and the trees overhead grow denser, blocking out any natural light from the many moons, leaving only the dim light of the crystalized mushrooms around. It might not feel as eerie as it seems, though; something warm and comforting in that light despite the darkness. That does mean they won't be able to keep track of the light off in the forest distance, unfortunately.
The whispers pick up once again as they keep moving, unintelligible.
It takes a while for this path to lead them anywhere or with anything except More Mushrooms, but eventually they'll come upon a slightly more open area. It's still very much dark and only lit by mushrooms, but there's space here instead of being surrounded by trees and bushes. They should mostly be able to see in the dark by now, so they may notice a small cave opening lined with crystals that somewhat match the ones on the mushrooms. Perhaps more pressing, however, will be the odd creature in this mini clearing that almost blends into the darkness.
With six spiny looking legs and the size and the mass of a small rhino, this thing's three dull glowing blue eyes seem half-lidded as it stares at the quartet. ]
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Anyway, they progress, holding hands!! It's very cute. Ange gets more and more visibly nervous as they walk, though she stays quiet and so does her bird, nesting comfortably in her hair still. What a chill bird.
More importantly... they finally come upon that more open area and even though it almost blends into the darkness, those eyes are hard to miss and Ange freezes. She opens her mouth, and nothing comes out.
This is probably for the better! I don't know if it's noticed them yet! Either way she is definitely freezing in the middle of the path, don't mind her.]
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His wolf walks more in pace with the three of them than with him, flanking them on one side so that if something happens, then... well, at least two sides will be covered. Because of the situation, both eyes are open - the left blends almost completely with its black fur, but the right is a stark red, and it is looking Everywhere as they listen to the whispers start up again. Spoopy.
When he spots those blue eyes, and what he can make out of the huge, spiky shape, it's fine that Ange stops. He does, too, squeezing her hand and staring at it. After a beat, he folds his arm more behind him so that she can keep the hand, and steps just so, shifting. Ange at least will be hidden behind him, and in theory so will Mob and Izumo - it just depends on if they decide to peek out at what's gotten them to stop so suddenly.
The saber is raised in front of him, still, and he is not putting it away. The wolf's hackles are bristled higher and its tail is straight. He's pretty sure that the thing is looking at them. ]
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So. . . he'll stay behind HC if that's where Izumo goes, but he's peeking at it fairly fearlessly, but he'll at least speak quietly.]
It's not doing anything. You shouldn't point your sword at something if it isn't doing anything, you might scare it.
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